As a jewelry enthusiast, you must have come across jewelry pieces made from recycled metals. The recycled metals give birth to recycled jewelry, which is quickly becoming a major industry trend.
This environmentally conscious trend is making a positive difference in the effects of the jewelry industry on the earth where reusing jewelry metals to produce a totally new design decreases environmental impact.
What is recycled metal and jewelry?
Recycled jewelry reuses recycled metals to make brand-new jewelry items. Precious metals (such silver, gold, and platinum) are expensive and scarce which means that using recycled materials greatly reduces the expenses associated with manufacturing a new piece from scratch.
Reusing the metals from old jewelry eliminates the need to find and mine new raw materials; therefore, there is almost no environmental impact. This helps to lower the carbon footprint of jewelry production.
You can find recycled metals from estate sales, auctions, or even from individuals who give their broken or damaged jewelry with the specific goal of recycling it.
Reasons why recycled metals and jewelry have become popular
Since sustainability has emerged as a key component of consumer values, recycled metals, and jewelry is a trend that is growing in popularity. Customers are more concerned than ever with the environmental impact of their purchases.
A 2021 research found that 66% of worldwide customers identified sustainability as one of the top five factors when making jewelry decisions, a 50% rise from the previous year.
Since offering environmentally friendly products is essential for businesses in every sector nowadays, it is not surprising that more and more firms are attempting to provide sustainable jewelry such as moissanite bands.
Does recycled metal lose its value?
When metals are taken out of one piece of jewelry and recycled into another, they retain their original worth. The quality of a jewelry piece’s composite components actually determines its value; therefore, recycling metals into a new piece doesn’t alter the materials’ intrinsic value.
For instance, the cut, color, clarity, and carat of diamonds are some of the unique characteristics that are used to evaluate them.
The source of the metal in which the stones are placed will not affect their quality or value, but other factors (such as the type of metal used, setting style, other jewels, engravings, etc.) may cause the value of each ring to vary.
Repurposing metals rather than excavating them again does not alter their value because naturally occurring metals are a limited and uncommon resource.
In fact, in some cases, metal refining restores recovered metal to its former value and occasionally even raises it by eliminating impurities and bringing it back to a pure state before reuse.
What are the perks of using recycled jewelry from recycled metals?
Now that we’ve covered what recycled metals and jewelry is and why it’s trendy, let’s look at the advantages of making jewelry from recycled metals. Whether you’re a jewelry shopper, designer, or brand owner, collaborating with a producer that uses recycled metals has numerous advantages.
You meet your customer’s needs.
The consumer’s dedication to sustainability is here to stay. The quest for sustainable sourcing is particularly lucrative in the jewelry business, with 55% of buyers prepared to spend more for ethically sourced jewelry.
As a jewelry brand, designer, or buyer, sustainable sourcing is a key consideration when selecting a manufacturing partner. Make it a part of your business model by partnering with a manufacturer who employs recycled materials and is Responsible Jewelry Council accredited.
The more you match consumers’ expectations for sustainability, the more credibility, loyalty, and new business you will gain.
You reduce the carbon footprint.
Reducing humanity’s carbon footprint is a shared duty. Jewelry production, like other forms of manufacturing, can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Using recycled metals can help to minimize emissions and the carbon footprint of the jewelry industry’s mining, procurement, and production processes.
Did you know that 94% of the carbon emissions related to making a silver ring come from the mining phase, while just roughly 6% come from the manufacturing process?
Because the procurement of raw materials is the main source of carbon emissions in the jewelry manufacturing process, removing this step can reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. When you use recycled products, you lessen your carbon footprint.
You work ethically and proudly.
At the end of the day, nothing beats taking pride in your work and the jewelry you create. Using recycled materials is a regenerative way to positively benefit the environment and conduct business ethically while also pleasing your customers.
By reducing your carbon footprint and taking care of the environment, you tend to be more confident that your work is ethical and beneficial to others.
Which metals are commonly recycled?
Well, you can essentially recycle any metal used in making jewelry, but the common ones include:
Platinum
Platinum is one of the hardest and most durable metals used in jewelry, and it does not require mixing with other alloys for strength or plating with rhodium to achieve its bright, shining luster.
Because of its purity, platinum is hypoallergenic, so those with nickel allergies do not have to worry about an allergic reaction when wearing it. Platinum is a wonderful metal for use in delicate situations that require strength.
Gold
Two of the most popular types of gold metals are white and yellow gold. When extracted from the earth, white gold is not white. Gold combined with other white metals, including palladium, silver, zinc, and nickel, is what is known as white gold. This combination not only gives the gold its color, but also its strength.
Gold, copper, and silver are combined to make yellow gold. This makes yellow gold an alloy. Did you know yellow gold is the only type of gold that may be 24 carats or 100% pure, while white and rose gold need other metals to produce their unique hues?
Parting shot
There is no denying that recycled metals and jewelry are the new standard of craftsmanship, and just because a metal is recycled doesn’t mean that the jewelry piece is of low quality or value. It still retains its value but goes at a much lower cost and conserves the environment.
When buying any jewelry piece made from recycled metals, ensure that you buy it from a reputable store, which gives you peace of mind that it’s well made.
